Christmas revellers to spend €18.5m on taxis

Christmas partygoers across the country will spend €18.5m on taking taxis home this year, a study claimed today.

The figures are based on research carried out in the UK in October which revealed that seasonal revellers there will fork out €682m on cabs.

The study by budget hotel chain Travelodge found that 96% of UK workers will spend an average of €19 on taxis home from office parties this Christmas.

The researchers allowed for a lower average taxi spend in Ireland and calculated that if 96% of the working population each spend an average of €10, they will face a bill of more than €18.5m.

Travelodge has three hotels in Dublin and four more in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

In Northern Ireland, Travelodge has a presence in Belfast and in Derry.

Travelodge Ireland director Seamus McGowan claimed the party season could be a lot easier on people’s wallets this Christmas if they stay in a budget hotel.

“People are always looking at ways to save money at Christmas and dread the often long and cold wait for a taxi after enjoying the office party.

“It also means that people can get a few valuable extra hours sleep and enjoy the party for that bit longer.”